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 convey it. And talk you of your master, Sir? You are your own master."

"In other things," said Osman, "I can act against the wishes of my uncle; but not in this. I perfectly believe you when you say the letter is quite harmless, so far as we are concerned;—but I can not break the rule for its sake. I am powerless to serve you in this matter."

"Well then, you may read it," said Bimala sadly.

Osman took the letter and began to read it.

"Prince,

I promised that one day I would unfold to you the history of my life. The time has now come for my doing so.

I hoped to narrate my personal history, when Tilottama should have ascended the throne of Abnir. That hope, alas! has been dashed to the ground. In a few days you will probably hear there is no Tilottama on earth—no Bimala. Our days are numbered.

It is for this reason that I am now writing you this note. I am a great sinner—I have committed many sins in my time.